Collection: GratefulDead
Band/Artist: Grateful Dead
Date: March 9, 1981 (check for other copies)
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York, NY

Source: Audience Recording: Nak CM700's
Lineage: nak cm700's > sony tc d-5m 12'th row center xl11 dolby b cassette master . analog to digital > tascam 112 mk11 cassette playback > sony pcm r-500 dat, @ 44.1 kHz , then dat > cd via hhb cdr-850
Taped by: Barry Glassberg
Transferred by: Jim Wise
Keywords: Live concert

Description

Feel Like A Stranger, Althea-> CC Rider, Ramble On Rose-> El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down The Line, Bird Song, Minglewood Blues China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider-> Samson & Delilah, Ship of Fools, Estimated Prophet-> Uncle John's Band-> Drums-> The Other One-> Stella Blue-> Good Lovin', E: U.S. Blues

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Reviewer: dupree413 - - April 4, 2012
Subject: Beyond Description
We all know about (whether attended or via tapes) 10/11/83 and the numerous shows in fall of '87 and '90.

BUT this is the definition of the Grateful Dead at their finest. Forget a few flubbed lyrics.

This show is a killer and unbelievably has not been selected for a Vault, et el release.

Stranger>Althea sets the tone. And the boys just keep going.

You need this one.

I agree (on a different source) with the reviewer who said this is the best show of 1981 (apologies to 5/6/81). It might be a tie!!

God bless and enjoy

Reviewer: birdsongin - - November 19, 2011
Subject: GD live At MSG 3/9/81
My very FIRST Dead Show!!!!! Loved it! God bless you Jerry....

Reviewer: Sir-Mix-Alot - - October 5, 2010
Subject: Glassberg is the Bomb!
Thank you, Barry Glassberg! This guy makes nothing but fat audience recordings....do yourself a favor and click on his name at the top of this page, and browse all his recordings. Especially, check out the Glassberg stuff mastered by MOTB "Mouth of the Beast".

This tape sound dynamite, with great 3D spatial room sound and up-front punch. FOB DFC is the spot to make tapes...just listen. I think this tape is rivals the SBD without the sterile SBD sound. Great performance from the band, too. Garcia's guitar just pierces MSG...5 stars for recording, 4 stars for the performance. Glassberg is the bomb!

Reviewer: grateful live - - July 22, 2010
Subject: good thing i'm not a 60s/70s snob....
...or a soundboard snob, for that matter. Otherwise I'd miss out on great shows like this!!

Feel Like a Stranger opener sets the tone for a raging first set that includes a great CC Rider, a fun and funky deep elem blues, and a spectacular birdsong.

Also, the China>Rider is a must-have!!! they tear it up on this one. Some great jammin going on there throughout.

Reviewer: John Bouffard - - June 28, 2010
Subject: My Oh My
Fantastic start to finish! The China Rider is worth a listen or two.

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Reviewer: goodlife_lover002 - - January 14, 2010
Subject: It was this show not the night after
Why does this china>rider stand out? I was there... before the set began, the crowd was going crazy as they took the stage... and the guy next to me starts chanting "china cat!!!" on the second balcony standing over the stage next to Jerry. And then, the whole crowd is getting into it and yelling for china cat over and over and over, like we we're not going to take NO for an answer. And Jerry starts cracking up, with that 1/2 bent over gait swaying, if you've ever been to a show and seen Jerry when he can't stop laughing at the crowd and the crowd laughing at him. (or, like maybe you were at Red Rocks the second night in 1987 and saw him cracking up at me after the 1st song HIAB?)

I was in the shadows of the Tree's of Life and Knowledge at this MSG show after going into a total blackout into total white light during the first set.. long story.....

Reviewer: FrankFoster - - July 21, 2009
Subject: Great show, very hot China>Rider
Searching for the best all-time China>Riders brought me to this show. This version here to open the 2nd set is with no doubt one of the best of all time. The China jam does not know when to quit and takes so many different paths on it's way to developing into an absolutely rockin' version of Rider. In the Rider Jerry slips in a solo between the "Sun gonna shine" and "Wish I was a headlight" verses, that is not only very well-placed but it also completely rips. As others have posted this show does have much more than this China>Rider. The Estimated>UJB combination is worth the download on their own, and the whole 1st set is all real good stuff. The Stranger may be best all-time, there is a fantastically rockin' ROR, a sweet version of Bird Song and then the 1st set closer Minglewood rocks with a very cool Brent guitar synth solo.

A great show that is well worth the download.

Reviewer: sugareesalibi - - December 4, 2008
Subject: Deep Elem!
Stellar Deep Elem. Great aud. recording. Thanks for sharing it.

Reviewer: Dylan M - - May 25, 2008
Subject: Remaster your own AUD
true dead-head personal remastering.

We should stick it to Rhino by doing it ourselves. We are all Grateful for this AUD rarity.

Reviewer: Alex, Geddy, Neil, Jerry, Bobby, Phil, Brent, Mickey, Billy - - November 12, 2007
Subject: Among the 80s' Finest
this is one of those rare AUD souces that meets and EXCEEDS its SBD counterpart... electric Deep Elem is nice even if Jerry butchered the verses; same for BIODTL... might be the two most rippin' versions of Samson and UJB i've heard, period.

if you don't have this one, what are you waiting for?!

Reviewer: Hux - - July 7, 2007
Subject: China Cat Heaven
Those opening notes with the fat little effects on them - THIS is what The Grateful Dead "is" - this is one of my favorite shows just for that reason alone! To add to this, the source is nice and clean. That makes me wanna smile, smile, smile.

Reviewer: gruUbic - - May 9, 2007
Subject: 9 March 1981
Jerrmendous!

Please, take this from the tree...let it ripen a couple days...polish it...THEN take a bite.

Crisp...clean and nice output. No speedup that I can hear...just the jerrbear wah wah...and great vocals.

5 for energy
5 for an aud tape
5's for being high...fives.

Gosh bless you, me and the gosh darn greatful dead!!

Reviewer: pnc - - May 7, 2007
Subject: Excellent Recording...
...of an energy infused MSG offering. This show just plain rips.

Reviewer: miked-archive - - May 5, 2007
Subject: Excellent Show, Gread Audience Recording
Should've reviewed it sooner after listening too it, but remember loving it. Think this is the one where I, crazy as it sounds, almost like the 1st set better than the 2nd. At least, I had that though 2nd time through 1st set. It just flows so great. I also remember The Other One being particularly incredible.

Reviewer: tomharp - - January 5, 2007
Subject: reviews missing THE note
Lot's of nice reviews here but no one mentions the killer Phil bomb that opens Stella Blue. I was at the show, and my deck was patched into Barry's (the source). Barry was kind enough to run it for me as my seat was upstairs, but that Stella opening nearly floored the entire building! The years all roll into one --- but that is a highlite that will always stand out in my memory. Barry made the best tapes from up front (undercover) after the tapers had been relegated to behind the board.

Reviewer: Dead Surfer - - January 1, 2007
Subject: Very good Aud.
This is a nice sounding aud. recording. The best one iv'e heard on this site is Laguna Seca 7-29-88 check it out. 99 percent of my shows are sbd Laguna is an exception.

Reviewer: L. Rosley - - December 31, 2006
Subject: Can't go wrong with this show
Say what you will about 1981, but this era had some great Bird Songs. This one does not disappoint. Jerry and the band really take the jam into to some interesting places, reminding me of the jazz-like jams of the '73-'74. Jerry is in good form on China Cat, and the jam into Rider is top notch Dead. Jerry continues the momemtum into Rider. Samson is also killer, as is Estimated. The jam into Uncle John's Band beautiful, morphing into some interesting territory, powerful, then introspective. Then yet another great jam in Uncle John's. Wow. But wait, there's more. We get a blistering Other One and a clean, rockin' close.

I'd rate this show's performance at 4 for the first set, 5 for the second (sound 4.8). The 3/5/81 show is solid 5 because the first set is stronger (has more outstanding first-set material). But this show has plenty of fabulous Dead to go around. And, like the 3/5 show, Archive.org lets us download it. Download them both.

Reviewer: jjg4762 - - November 28, 2006
Subject: smokin
Am glad these garden shows are here with such great sound. glad to have been apart of the early 80's shows. they just seems so SMOKIN...... great china/rider great sampson and mellow ship. could go on and on. just WOW WOW WOW

Reviewer: jeremiah johnson - - October 21, 2006
Subject: one beautiful note
this show gets summed up in one beautiful note at 4:05 during a wonderful 'samson'....oh,and i nice mingus/parkeresque jam during 'estimated'.steep show,5 cool ones.

Reviewer: stilldead77 - - August 17, 2006
Subject: Wow, Once Again, I Am So Amazed!
Greetings Fellow Dead Heads,

This has to be the 10th time I have stumbled back upon this show and have been floored in amazement. I agree with all the reviewers below - this show is ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂUp There.ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ

At the beginning of China Cat, someone, either Bobby or Mickey is playing some cool sounding instrument to the main Riff Jerry wrote for Bobby, it might even be Brent. Does any one know who or what this is?

Super nice flow into UJB and the Rider, like mentioned before, it Smokin Hot! If you need any amount of, ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂPick Me Up,ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂàjust press play and let Stranger take you away.

Download this one, without hesitation, a fantastic addition to anyoneÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs collection ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂàSB Freak or not.

~ Still Dead

Reviewer: Arbuthnot - - August 16, 2006
Subject: searingly brilliant
Look, this show is the cat's meow. The Drums absolutely blisters the mind. And there ain't no slackin' in the rest of the show. The taper of this show did the world a huge service and i thank him heartily for his deadication. It's my opinion, but i say you will never regret downloading this show. It will surely rise into your top ten all-time audience recordings.

Reviewer: Out_To_Lunch - - July 27, 2006
Subject: Sheep!
Baaahhh!
Early '80 MSG NYC never better than 9/20/82.
Go hither.

Reviewer: captain_trip_420 - - April 24, 2006
Subject: Its BOBBY!
To the reviewer below, the 2nd solo is by Bobby with a slide.
Nice sound on this one.

Reviewer: caspersvapors - - April 2, 2006
Subject: is there a 2nd guitarist on Minglewood?
that 2nd solo sounds nothing like jerry, both in tone and style. can anyone clarify?

Either way f*ckin fantastic show

Reviewer: Jobygoob - - March 12, 2006
Subject: Excellent sound
1981 has been an under-represented year in my collection, mostly because the setlists were pretty similar and because most of the shows here are audience recordings. Now that this is all we have to download, my eyes have become opened to the extremely high quality of some of these recordings. So far, this one is my favorite. Jerry sounds amazing here, and the quality of the recording is easily as good as any soundboard I've gotten from this site. I can't wait to mine some more of these overlooked gems from the audience collection here at the archive.

Reviewer: Patty Falafal - - February 27, 2006
Subject: gemstone aud
Once in a great while I still run across one that is just a suprise treat. As was the case here...very unexpected, fun, good-time show. Fabulous feel to this one. One note...I think the space file is corrupted-at least I did not have good luck with it-

Reviewer: MCMRULES - - February 22, 2006
Subject: From a soundboard snob
I was, and still am to a certain extent, a soundboard snob. Until hearing this show cranked up on my Boston Acoustics towers coupled with my PHAT Paradigm subwoofer. Talk about capturing the ambiance of the room. My wife(who is still replacing the pictures that shook off of the walls of our house) said, "How can you call MSG a room?" She doesn't understand. Get this show and you will. This show, the Red Rocks 82 shows, and the Richmond 85 shows, hands down the best AUDS on this site. Feel free to enlighten me about others.

Reviewer: UncleSam1977 - - February 16, 2006
Subject: everybody should know this rider
I mean come on.....Lesh and Garcia rip the living hell out of this china->rider.... I mean really, the first solo on the Rider is just incredible and seems to go on for ever. Jerry rips into the Rider like a DEA agent busting into Chong's house, but faster and when combined with the rediculous groove Lesh lays down...oh man, hold on! Oh and the rest of the show ain't to bad either, nice Stranger!

Reviewer: mid-maine - - January 5, 2006
Subject: wow
definitely a fine upgrade. the original recording offered up was rather thin. while i miss downloading boards, i've always preferred an HQ aud to board anyday. this one is worth it. 80s at their finest. just check out the rants and raves from all the fired up fans.

Reviewer: crazymona - - December 31, 2005
Subject: dude you have to be kidding me
boy 19 years before my first taste of MSG sure sounds sweeeeettt!!!

Reviewer: Lemmy - - December 30, 2005
Subject: Wonderful Recording
Great sound! Felt like I was right their on the floor of the Garden. Sound in awesome. Jerry is rippin'
4.5 stars for the recording (Brent is low in the mix voice mix)
4 stars for the band...

5 stars cause you can download it
WELL WORTH THE DL regardless

Reviewer: 2dose - - December 30, 2005
Subject: STRANGER
This was my first show. I was so blessed through out the years in catching what most heads believed to be really good shows and 6 or 7 of the 60 I went to eneded up as Dick's Picks. Yet nothing beets the energy of this show and I can't believe how hot this Stranger is!!! I was sixteen and had a 15th row seat for my first show and all hell broke lose. I was hooked from that point on. Thank you archives for letting me be able to experience this show. I never was able to get a copy of until now. Archives Rule!

Reviewer: kaotics - - December 27, 2005
Subject: Estimated beautiful...
what a fantastic show. Jerry takes you for a melodic ride, as he has a tendency to do, on Estimated. Is there anything more pleasing to the ear? It's hard to imagine that any fan of their music could have a hard time appreciating the 80's era with Brent aboard.

Reviewer: Hage - - November 29, 2005
Subject: Crankin' First Set
Easily my favorite Feel Like A Stranger and a rockin' Deep Elem Blues! Overall, the First Set is worth the price of admission and the Second Set is no slouch, either. Check it out!!

Reviewer: poor willie john - - November 4, 2005
Subject: how good?
I ask you. Jerry's just going. one of my favorite 1981 shows. Soooooo good.

Reviewer: Liamfinnegan - - October 13, 2005
Subject: My first Dead Show
10/13 Listening again to my first show- possibly the finest soloing on an Estimated Prophet from Jerry that I have ever heard. I would love if someone else can point me to a better EP for Jerry.

Wow. I have never heard this since the night I went. This was my first ever dead show, and I regret I did not turn on to the Dead until the early 80's when I was in my early 20's. The amazing thing about this, is I had NO idea how great this show was, as I had nothing to compare it to. I went to 40 or 50 more shows over the years, and listening to this one, this is absolutely a top 10, if not a top 10 show from this time period. Garcia's leads all night were mind-blowingly orgasmic.

Reviewer: Creampuffin1965 - - October 4, 2005
Subject: my 3rd grateful dead show....wowowowowow
Hey now...I'm slow but surely getting all the show I ever went to...this is #3 GD...10/30 & 31-80 were #'s 1&2....Then I saw a JGB show @ my eventual Alma mater-Glassboro State College...then this one....it even predates my 1st spectrum show...considering I was a kid from the philly area and had no car at the time..It's a wonder this is my first "regular tour" show ..nothing special like #'s 1&2 were at the Radio City Music Hall...

What I remember this is a barnburner from begining to end...A must have..Enjoy!!

Reviewer: Creampuffin1965 - - October 4, 2005
Subject: my 3rd grateful dead show....wowowowowow
Hey now...I'm slow but surely getting all the show I ever went to...this is #3 GD...10/30 & 31-80 were #'s 1&2....Then I saw a JGB show @ my eventual Alma mater-Glassboro State College...then this one....it even predates my 1st spectrum show...considering I was a kid from the philly area and had no car at the time..It's a wonder this is my first "regular tour" show ..nothing special like #'s 1&2 were at the Radio City Music Hall...

What I remember this is a barnburner from begining to end...A must have..Enjoy!!

Reviewer: donnaruinedthe70s - - September 28, 2005
Subject: i didn't know what i was downloading....
hard rock--start to finish, the best show i have heard from this era. (era = post donna till coma 86) The bird song and other one are ethereal. the minglewood that follows BS is just raunchy good. The china rider is the best version i have heard from any era. great transition, and jerry hits the peaks with authority on IKYR. Jerry's guitar is so crisp throughout the whole show-id put his playing on this night up against anyone. its these types of shows that built the mystique of the dead.

its a 5 star show.

Reviewer: donnaruinedthe70s - - September 28, 2005
Subject: i didn't know what i was downloading....
hard rock--start to finish, the best show i have heard from this era. (era = post donna till coma 86) The bird song and other one are ethereal. the minglewood that follows BS is just raunchy good. The china rider is the best version i have heard from any era. great transition, and jerry hits the peaks with authority on IKYR. Jerry's guitar is so crisp throughout the whole show-id put his playing on this night up against anyone. its these types of shows that built the mystique of the dead.

its a 5 star show.

Reviewer: Hey Now - - August 24, 2005
Subject: Woah!
All the reviews of this show are right on.
This was my first show at MSG, and it was f#ck*n' awesome. Deep Elem rocked, Bird Song was insane!
This was one of those nights where everything clicked. In between sets I scored a tasty spot right in front of Jerry just as China Cat was kickin'off. Great Stuff!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer: seedanrun - - August 21, 2005
Subject: Outstanding China Cat >Rider
The whole show smokes, and the sound is excellent as well. But what really sets this one apart is the China Cat > Rider. No, I haven't listened to all 552 China Cats, but if you know of a better one please tell me about it. This version is just sick! At 10+ minutes, this appears to be the longest version they ever played, and every note is perfect. Rider is no slouch, either.

Reviewer: boobychew - - July 7, 2005
Subject: rider!
smokin...sound is very good too. 4 stars

Reviewer: billydlions - - June 18, 2005
Subject: 1981
This show is a great example of why 1981-1982 were peak years for the Dead. Garica was ripping it up on guitar, vocals were excellent, Phil was all over with the bass lines and Brent had found his place. I love the auds from 1981. The sound quality here is fantastic. The playing is inspired throughout with special mention the Estimated-UJB jams. Grab all these great shows while you can.

Reviewer: flashbackmagic - - June 10, 2005
Subject: ditto
ditto what everyone said, and you just gotta love an electric Deep Elem Blues.

Reviewer: Mr. Charlie - Lambertville - - June 3, 2005
Subject: MSG never sounded so Goooodddd!
Killer night! The sound quality is impecable and the band rips it up with lots of energy. Great playing and great vocals. It's one of those recordings where you really feel that the band is pumped to be there and the audience is glad to have them. It was nights like this that could make the garden feel small. Turn up the "Ramble On Rose" and you'll see exactly what I'm saying.

Reviewer: MarkStar - - April 23, 2005
Subject: Uh...yeah
This show is the bomb. Like said before, the China>Rider is as smooth as it gets. Super-duper show.

Reviewer: capn doubledose - - April 11, 2005
Subject: Whopper
Really hot bird song followed by an incandescent Minglewood and once again my theory that whenever they played ramble on rose the show was a shocker post Donna & Keith. Agree this is top 3 of the year, First set of Lehigh, Set III of New Years, First set of Cole Field House, Dayton, But this whole thing sizzles even for the Garden known for great shows. Est>Uncle John's is long and drippy....

Reviewer: shallwego - - April 4, 2005
Subject: Damn!
Best show I've heard from '81, hands down.

Reviewer: Slade, MD - - March 5, 2005
Subject: A Must Have Show
You need this show if you like the dead in the 80s. 90% of the songs they played this night were among the best versions they ever played. A definite X night.

Reviewer: lesthayes37 - - February 25, 2005
Subject: pretty sweet show
this is a personal favorite of mine. sweet deep elem.

Reviewer: Benzosity - - December 3, 2004
Subject: Doesn't let up
The Uncle Johns Band comes out of Estimated so naturally. The Other One out of space is awesome and the Stella is given an extra-special-vocal treatment (although it could have gone on a little longer before Good Lovin'). This is the perfect AUD too, can't believe it's Madison Square Garden!

Reviewer: stealthhippy - - October 28, 2004
Subject: wow...............
i still can't believe this amazing show is an audience taping.......sound is great and the chinacat-IKYR is just about the best ever.and the absolutely smokin Samson & Delilah where Jerry just rips the notes to shreds...they are they all simply on fire this night..and being able to hear the audience buzzing the whole show makes this a an absolute keeper..whoever fixed this recording..bless you!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer: mastorna - - October 2, 2004
Subject: from the garden
NYC shows brought out the dead in a big way. This gig has them pulling out all the high energy for the first set. Great version of Stranger, with Garica just smoking through the jam. Bird Song is also very hot. Some fun standards like BIODTL and ROR, where the crowd really get into it.

China Rider....this is where its at. Pure liquid. Everything works here. A smooth transition and great power coming through in Rider.

The sound is *excelling* for this venue. Wise, you're a god!

Reviewer: gfr - - May 27, 2004
Subject: Quali-tay
Excellent high energy show start to finish. My personal favorite China>Rider ever! Jerry is ripping and Phil is right there too. I highly recommend this show. A true five star performance.

Reviewer: zscott - - April 28, 2004
Subject: oh boy!
wow, this show and recording are top notch. Jerry wails throughout the show and the recording captures every beautiful space within the garden that night. Highlights include a rip-snorting stranger, a strange intro to china cat and a brent solo in minglewood that sounds somewhere between a guitar and a cat in heat!

Notes

Improved 'transfer' of original fob source; via Barry glassberg; Jim Wise